Key Principles
Story Development = (Three Act Structure)
Story Development = (The Heroes Journey)
All films are required to be structured into three sections; the beginning, the middle and the end, same as a good book. Following this layout creates a storyline for the viewer to follow and each section usually features a major role in the film. For example;
beginning - introduce middle - action/drama end - all things come to a head
Beginning
- the story is established
- scene is set
- main characters are introduced
- slight insight into background stories
Middle
- the action begins
- a problem arises
- possible mission/ journey/ task
- something new happens, maybe a new character is introduced?
End
- problem is resolved
- celebration?
- main characters together
- possible change in atmosphere
Three Act Structure
A three act structure requires a protagonist, (a main character), to be one of the main focus' in the film; the center of all of the drama and action. As the beginning of the film ends, the main character makes a decision that leads to the action seen in the middle. When a film is split into three parts there are also several stories going on at the same time, this may be two characters falling in love, searching for a lost companion or discovering something they never knew, these small stories give the overall story more depth and allot the viewer to have more insight into the storyline and feel more involved in the film.
The Heroes Journey
Beginning
A modern take on the fairytale classic, Rapunzel; an old with steals the young princes and raises her as her own, keeping her close because Rapunzel's glorious hair is magical and can stop ageing and bring back the old hag's youthful looks. Rapunzel dreams of going outside, and seeing the famous lantern festival, she is unaware that every year her birth parents release thousands of lit lanterns hoping that she will return to the kingdom safely. However, her 'mother' never allows Rapunzel to go outside and she has spent her entire life in a tower. On her 18th birthday, Rapunzel asks her 'mother', Gothel if she could leave the tower just once, to visit the floating lanterns but Gothel denies her request, stating that the outside world is too dangerous.
Middle
Whilst Rapunzel is locked inside her tower a small group of thieves led by a young vagrant named Flynn Rider steal the tiara of the missing princess and are chased by the kingdom's guards. During the chase, Flynn ditches his accomplices and takes the tiara for himself unaware that the lead guard's horse, Maximus is hot on his trail. Flynn stumbles across Rapunzel's tower and decides to use it as a hideout. Once he climbs inside the tower Flynn is knocked unconscious by Rapunzel who hides him and his satchel before Gothel returns.
When Gothel returns, Rapunzel says that she wants a special paint for her birthday instead of visiting the floating lanterns; Gothel leaves for a three-day journey to bring the gift. Then Rapunzel makes a deal with Flynn — a journey to the "lights" in exchange for the tiara.
After escaping from a tavern full of the king's guards Rapunzel and Flynn find themselves trapped in a flooding cave where Flynn gets injured but, fortunately, using Rapunzel's glowing hair, they find a way out. Later around a campfire, Rapunzel heals Flynn's cut with her magic hair, and they talk about their lives. When Flynn goes off to gather more firewood, Gothel appears and tells Rapunzel that Flynn just wants the tiara so, giving her the satchel, she tells Rapunzel to test Flynn before he leaves.
The next morning, Maximus confronts Flynn, but Rapunzel befriends the horse to Flynn's dismay. The group arrives at the royal kingdom and, that night, Flynn takes Rapunzel to see the lanterns. There, Rapunzel returns Flynn his satchel. Flynn sees his former accomplices and so he leaves Rapunzel waiting at the boat as he gives them the tiara back. However, the pair knock him out, tie him on a boat and sail him across the lake. They reveal Flynn's "betrayal" to Rapunzel before trying to kidnap her in knowledge of her hair's power, but Gothel "rescues" her and they return to the tower. Later, Flynn is arrested and sentenced to death. Maximus brings a group of friendly thugs to rescue Flynn and they both flee to the tower.
End
From various clues she finds during her adventure, Rapunzel realizes that she is the long-lost princess and attempts to escape from the tower and from Gothel. Gothel ties her up and when Flynn arrives she stabs him. Rapunzel promises to keep fighting her unless she allows her to heal Flynn's wound. Gothel agrees but Flynn cuts Rapunzel's hair short with a piece of broken mirror. Rapunzel's hair turns brown and loses its magic before she heals him. Gothel rapidly begins to age; while in a delirious situation, she trips and falls from the tower turning into dust. Flynn slowly dies in Rapunzel's arms; as she cries over his body and sings the final verse of her healing song, a teardrop, filled with the flower's magic, lands on his cheek and revives him. Back at the kingdom the royal family has a tearful reunion; the king and queen pull Flynn into their embrace for returning their daughter to them. Years after, Flynn and Rapunzel are married, the pub thugs fulfill their individual dreams and Maximus becomes a respected official on the Royal Guard.
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